The DBE, in collaboration with Old Mutual South Africa, hosted the first-ever Mathematical Literacy Awards Ceremony at the DBE Conference Centre on 25 February 2025. This prestigious event celebrated the outstanding achievements of learners, educators and schools in the field of Mathematical Literacy. Through this initiative, the DBE and Old Mutual South Africa reaffirmed their commitment to promoting numeracy skills and fostering a culture of academic excellence in South Africa.
Ms Gladys Nkwinika, Chief Education Specialist (CES) in Mathematical Literacy at the DBE, highlighted the significance of the subject in the South African education system. “Mathematical Literacy is an increasingly popular subject taken by learners who score below 30% in Mathematics by the end of Grade 9. Unfortunately, both learners and educators often feel demotivated due to the negative perceptions associated with it, especially since it is frequently compared unfavourably to Mathematics. The support for this subject within schools remains limited, despite the fact that a significant number of learners pursue it”. Ms Nkwinika expressed heartfelt gratitude to all educators, school leaders and provincial education departments who continue to champion Mathematical Literacy despite these challenges. “Today, we celebrate the achievements and dedication of our teachers, schools, and districts who work tirelessly to ensure that Mathematical Literacy remains a vital part of our curriculum. Your passion and commitment are instrumental in shaping a future where all learners have the numeracy skills necessary to navigate the world with confidence”.
In 2024, 6,462 schools across South Africa wrote Mathematical Literacy, with 1,325 of them achieving a 100% pass rate. The overall pass rate for Mathematical Literacy in the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations stood at 86.1%. Mathematical Literacy plays a crucial role in equipping learners with practical financial and problem-solving skills. The subject focuses on real-world applications, enabling students to think numerically and spatially, interpret everyday situations, and solve practical problems.
Mr Seliki Tlhabane, Chief Director for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MST) and Curriculum Enhancement Programmes, and Ms Elspeth Khembo, Director of MST and e-Learning, delivered motivational addresses during the event. They encouraged learners and educators to embrace Mathematical Literacy as a valuable tool for navigating both academic and real-world challenges.
Adding to the theme of financial literacy, Mr Thabo Hollo, a financial education expert from Old Mutual South Africa, shared an important financial tip: “A great habit for financial success is the 50/30/20 rule to allocate 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings or investments. Financial literacy starts with small, consistent habits that lead to lifelong financial stability”.
The top three districts for Mathematical Literacy performance were Johannesburg West, Thabo Mofutsanyana and Fezile Dabi. The highest-performing provinces in the subject were the Free State, Limpopo and Gauteng. Sponsors, Old Mutual, awarded laptops, calculators and certificates to the top-performing districts and provinces in recognition of their efforts and achievements. “This event serves as a milestone in promoting Mathematical Literacy, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to develop essential numeracy skills for the future”, Ms Nkwinika concluded.